Names in the News: October 30, 2022

BEN TAPLEY was announced as the new chief of Bulloch County (GA) Fire Services on October 28. He had been serving as its interim fire chief since April. Tapley began his public service career as a volunteer with the Sylvania (GA) Fire Department in 1992. He then joined the Statesboro (GA) Fire Department in 1993. In 2000, he joined Bulloch County EMS full time, where he served for the next 10 years, mostly as its training officer for EMS. Tapley then moved to Bryan County (GA) Fire and EMS as battalion chief and training officer before joining Bulloch County in 2012 as its deputy fire chief.

THOMAS SMOTHERS was named the new chief of the Ocoee (FL) Fire Department (OFD). He had been serving as the acting OFD chief since August, following the April retirement of former OFD chief John Miller. Smothers is an 18-year OFD veteran who began his career there as a firefighter in 2004. In 2007, he became an engineer, and in 2009, he earned his paramedic title. In 2010, he tested for lieutenant before earning the promotion to for that position with the training and emergency medical services divisions in December 2011.

JAMES REARDON was sworn in as the new chief of the Liberty Township (Delaware, Ohio) Fire Department (LTFD) on October 24. Reardon is a 31-year fire service veteran who began his career with the LTFD as a fire explorer in 1991. He earned his firefighter II certification from the Ohio Fire Academy in 1994 and completed paramedic training at Tri-Rivers Career Center before joining the LTFD full time in 1998. After a one-year stint in northern Virginia, Reardon rejoined the LTFD in 2001 and was promoted to inspector in 2003, to captain in 2005, and to assistant chief in 2009 before finally being promoted to battalion chief.

V. GRAIG TEMPLE was sworn in as the new chief of the Spring Hill (TN) Fire Department. Most recently, Temple was chief of emergency medical services (EMS) in Fort Bend County, Texas, where he directed administration, operations, finance/logistics, and training. He is credited with expanding EMS resources, decreasing response times, and increasing operational efficiencies during his nearly seven-year tenure. Previously, Temple was assistant fire chief in charge of operations in Anchorage, Alaska.

DERRICK STAMPS was sworn in as the new chief of the Vicksburg (MS) Fire Department (VFD) on October 4. Stamps is a 22-year VFD member and previously served as the department’s deputy chief, a position he has held since 2017. He received his bachelor’s of science degree from Waldorf University, majoring in fire science administration, and received his professional degree from the United States Fire Administration.